Sale and Buehrle quite a pair

While styles differ, Sox believe there's a lot in common in way lefties handers approach game

June 16, 2012|By Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune reporter

LOS ANGELES — The closest memory the White Sox have experienced regarding departed popular left-hander Mark Buehrle occurred Wednesday night when his parents, John and Pat, visited their son's former team at Busch Stadium.

While Buehrle has pitched well with the Marlins despite a lack of run support, the Sox have been able to neutralize the loss of their longtime ace thanks to a young left-hander whose quick ascent has been stunning.

That's Chris Sale — the youngest player on the Sox roster at 23.

"I don't know if (his success) is a surprise, but (his) maturity and the way he pitches is a surprise," manager Robin Ventura said before Sale was roughed up a bit in Friday night's 7-6 loss to the Dodgers. "Stuff-wise, that has been evident for a long time, just the way he goes about it. He doesn't have to throw 97 or 98 mph to (succeed).

"He understands the stuff he has and he's able to deal with (problems in ways) besides just trying to reach back and throw as hard as he can."

Sale has impressed his teammates with more than his 8-2 record entering play Friday night. They are especially amazed at his transformation from reliever after his first 11/2 seasons with the Sox. He also has displayed positive characteristics similar to those of Buehrle.

"He has the stuff," slugger Adam Dunn said. "But I don't think anyone foresaw how dominant he was going to be for a long stretch of time. He has learned to pitch. He's learning to pitch so quickly. He's just not throwing as hard as he can as a reliever. He's throwing 87 mph and pitching to contact when he needs to. It has been fun to watch.

"He doesn't go out and try to strike everyone out. He's going to have a lot of strikeouts because he has good stuff. But he pitches to contact, and his stuff (still) allows him to strike out a lot of people."

Sale scored some points with his teammates June 9 when he worked at a brisk pace under temperatures in the high 80s to pitch eight shutout innings in a victory over the Astros.

"No one works faster than Buehrle, but Chris has good stuff and works very quickly," Gordon Beckham said. "He has stuff that can shut you out every night and it's nice to have that out there every five days. he has helped lessen the effect of Buehrle leaving because of how good he has been, that's for sure."

Beckham has enjoyed watching Sale's repertoire of pitches from his perch at second base.

"He has three 'plus' pitches, and he has learned to throw a fastball at a slower pace so it's almost like a fourth pitch for him," Beckham said. "It is fun to watch because you can see what's going on, how he's doing it. And how he's doing it is very special."